wright



. (No Model.)

2 Sheets,Sheet 1.

M. S. WRIGHT.

REEDDRGAN.

Patentd Mar. 27, 1888.

m me s By PH} N. PETERS. Plmlo-Lillmgraphor. Washin ton, D. c.

(No Model.)

- 2 Sheets-Sheet 2. M. S. WRIGHT;

REED ORGAN.

No. 380,071. Patented Mar. 27, 1888.

j H H u l N. PETERS. Pmwmhn m um Washi n nnnnnn c.

UNITED STATES PATENT O FIQEO MORRIS S. W'RIGHT, OF WORCESTER, MASSACHUSETTS, ASSIGNOR TO REGINALD FRY, OE MORRISTOWN, NEW JERSEY.

REED-ORGAN.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 380,071, dated March 27, 1888.

Application filed July 27, 1887. Serial No. 245,396. (No model.)

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, MORRIS S. WRIGHT, of the city and county of Worcester, and Commonwealth of Massachusetts, have invented new and useful Improvements in Reed-Organs; and I do hereby declare that the following is a full and clear description of the same, reference being had to the accompanying drawings and letters of reference marked thereon, forming a part of this specification, and in which Figure 1 represents, on linea a, Fig. 2, looking in the direction indicated by arrow 1, a vertical section through one set of reed-chambers, air-chambers, and qualifying-tubes, the

u air-valve over the line of section in' Fig. 2 being removed to show the valve-seats and the form of the air-openings, all as will be hereinafter more fully described; and Fig. 2 repre sents a cross-section,on line b b, Fig. 1, looking in the direction indicated by arrow 2, of so much of a reed-organ as is necessary to illustrate my present invention, as will be hereinafter described.

To enable those skilled in the art to which my invention belongs to make and use the same, I will proceed to describe the invention more in detail.

The nature of my invention consists in improvements in reed-organs,viz: first, in the peculiar construction and combination of the various rigid parts of the instrumentand usually called the reedpan, as will be hereinafter described; second, in the combination and arrangement, in a reed-organ,of a series of airchambers, a series of qualifying-tubes, and a series of hinged stops, 'all relatively arranged in relation to each other as will be hereinafter more fully described; third, in the combination, with the three communicating air-chambers, and the air-chambers of the reeds above the same, and a single qualifying-pipe, of a stationary cut-off interposed or arranged between the lower communicating air-chambers and the reed-chambers above the same, as will be hereinafter described; fourth, in the combination and relative arrangement, in a reedorgan, of a peculiarly-constructed reed-pan,

the same having its induction air-ports and air-valves and mechanism for operating the same located and arranged in the large airchest at the back of the reed-pan, while a series of openings are arranged in the front of the reed-pan between a series of qualifyingtubes for the insertion and removal of the reeds at the front of the organ, all as will be hereinafter described; fifth, in the combina tion, with the induction air passages or ports of a given series of reeds arranged one above the other, of a perpendicular pendulum air-valve, as will be hereinafter more fully described; sixth, in the combination, with a pendulum air-valve for a series of air-induction ports, of recessed seats and communicating ports, as will be hereinafter described; seventh, in the combination, with a pendulum-valve suspendedfrom a top pin, of lower guide-pins, one on each side, an operating-spring, and bufferin the rear, as will be hereinafter described; eighth, in the combination, with the lower end of the pendulum-valve, of an adjustable screwstemmed metal eye, as will be hereinafter described; ninth, in the combination, with the operating screw-stemmed metal eye and its valve, of a padded bell-crank and rod for operating the valve from the key-board, as will be hereinafter described; tenth, in the combi nation, in a reed-organ, of a series of reeds arranged one above the other and located in respect to their respective air-chambers as described, a series of horizontal qualifyingtubes extending from the front of the air-chambers toward the. front of the organ, with horizontal open spaces between them for the passage of the reeds, air-exit openings at the front of the qualifying-tubes, and a series of hinged stops, all as will be hereinafter described; eleventh, in the combination, in a reed-organ, with a series of reed air-chambers,

relatively arranged as shown and described, v

My present invention relates to certain specified improvements, as will be hereinafter fully described, and I have therefore only shown so much of a reed-organ as is necessary to illustrate my invention, and the description will be confined mainly to the parts shown. The keyboard, keys and their connections, stopoperating devices, casing, and proper means for supporting the instrument at the desired height may all be of ordinary construction.

In the drawings, the parts marked A constitute the lower or first tube or cell board, and which board runs from end to end and is made from a single piece of wood. The parts A constitute the next or second section of tube or cell boards, and in this section are arranged the first series of reeds (1. Section A is made from a single piece of wood, and its front upper corner is cut out to receive the plug-piece B, which is made in a single piece and runs from end to end of the reed-pan.

B is a dividing-board, which runs its full length and thickness between the part A and the next or third tube or cell section 0, made like the one A below it.

C is the plug-piece, and 0 is the next dividing-board, which also runs its full length and width between section Oand next or fourth tube or cell section, D, D being the plug-piece for this section and D the dividing-board between section D and the next or fifth tube or cell section, E, E being the plug-piece and E the top board, as in this instance section E is the last one.

It will be understood that any desired number of tube or cell sections may be usedone above the other-and one great advantage of my mode of making and uniting the parts of the reed-pan is, that it enables the manufacturer to keep his stock all prepared, ready to be glued and fastened together in sections, as above described, whereby he can quickly put up any desired size of reed-organ from such prepared material and at short notice. Then, again, when the structure above described, and which I call the reed-pan, is made up from separate pieces running from end to end of the structure, there is not that liability of the parts to warp and spring out of line or out of their proper relative positions, as in reedorgan structures as heretofore constructed.

It will be observed that the air-chambers proper-viz., F G H I J K L M-are all cut or cored out of the pieces A, A, O, D, and E. The side walls of air-chamberF are connected by the uncut parts 3 3, those of air-chamber G by the parts 4 4, those of air-chamber H by the uncut parts 5 5, those of air-chamber I by the uncut parts 5 5, those of air-chamber J by the uncut parts 6 6, those of air-chamber K by the nncutparts 6 6, and those of the air-cham bersL and M by the uncut parts 7 and 7; and in addition to such natural-wood connections the parts are furthermore connected by the dividing-boards B, G, and D, and reed-plugging pieces B, O, D, and E, and shade-piece E and which parts extend the entire length of the reedpan, so that when said parts are all glued and fastened together there is scarcely a possibility of the least change in the parts, even whenthe instrument is placed in a very unfavorable position as respects dampness of room or atmosphere, and those skilled in the art to which my invention belongs will appreciate the results thus attained, since they tend greatly to the perfection of the class of instruments to which my reed-organ belongs.

Qualifying tubes or pipes N are connected to the front ends of the air-chambers, one to each reed and reed-chamber, with the exception that I, for three lower sections of three reeds each, employ but one large qualifying pipe,which occupies the space of three ordinary qualifying-pipes. Each qualifyingpipe has an opening, N, of the desired size to admit of the escape or exit of the air, and each of said openings is provided with a hinged stop, N, and, if preferred, the stop may consist of a single hinged piece extending the length of the organ, so that one whole series of openings may be closed and opened by one mot-ion of the player from the front of the oran. 6 I prefer to have each section or stop-piece arranged to be closed by a spring. As the stops are all arranged on the outside or front ends of the qualifying pipes or tubes, they always work easily and freely and close tightly. They never stick or bind in damp Weather, nor are they loose in dry weather; consequently the action of the instrument in this respect can always be relied upon. Then, again, the stops being arranged at the front or air-exit ends of the qualifying tubes or pipes, thus bringing the latter between the stops and the reeds, dust is excluded from the air-chambers, and the reeds work with greater accuracy of tone. The reeds (Z have on their base ends plugging projections cl, which close, when the reeds are in position as shown in Fig. 1, the openings 6, through which the reeds are run into position. A notch (shown in dotted lines) is made in the end of the reedplates to draw them out with. To tune the reeds it is only necessary to swing or slide the front of the organcasawhen the reeds can be withdrawn one at a time by a hook, and the valve-operating devices do not have to be disturbed or the windchest or large chamber 0 opened.

Reeds d are supported in channels cut in the walls of the air-chambers, as indicated in the drawings. Arrows indicate the direction of the air through the reeds and air-chambers when the airvalves I are opened in the large wind-chest O by means of knee or bell cranks I, rods P, and metal screw-stem eyes 1 eperated from the key-board. The upper reed d, it will be noticed, is reversed from the positions of the other reeds-that is, the tongue side is down, while the reed is arranged in an inclined position. By this arrangement the chamber M is made to qualify the tone, so that a separate qualifying tube or pipe is not re- IOC quired, although one may be employed, if pre ferred in any case.

By the constructionv and relative arrangement of the parts as described tones and action from a reed-organ are obtained equaling if not surpassing those of expensive pipe-organs. A spring-supporting piece, 0, is secured to the back of the reed-pan, in which the springs O are supported, as indicated in the drawings, slots being cut in the supporting-piece to receive the rear arm of the spring.

The front arm, 0 of the spring has at its lower end a bend or forward projection, 8, that enters a holein the back of the valve 1?, and said spring by its action keeps its valve to its seat 9 when the rod P is not depressed.

The valve-seats 9 are recessed, as shown at 10 in the drawings, so that the valve-seat is confined to a narrow line on the outsides ofsuch recesses; consequently the valve fits tight and has but little friction on its seat. The valve is so hung that it can adjust itself under the spring-pressure. Valve Pis shown closedin full lines, Fig. l, and open in dotted lines, same figure. It is suspended perpendicular like a pendulum and hangs on a pin,f. The holein the upper end of the valve is concaved out, as shown in dotted lines, so that the valve hangs on the inner beveled edge of the wood, and is thus free to swing and adjust itself to its seat. Its face is provided with proper packings, gg, and its lower end works between proper guidepins, h,- consequently the valve when it swings into place closes all the air-induction ports t in a very perfect manner, since the mode of suspending and guiding the valve is such as not to bind it laterally.

The upper back side of bell-crank lever P is padded at j, thereby preventing noise and renderingthe action on the screw-stemmed eye P easy. By using the eye the latter can be turned to the right or left, and thus secure a perfect center or balance action on the valve by the bell-crank, while at the same time the curved edge of the eye is always acted upon, which reduces friction and secures'ease of ac tion. The pad also prevents noise, and the use of an eye on the upper end of rod P also secures ease of action. Buffer h also prevents the valve P from being thrown too far back, and also prevents noise. Rod P works through a hole in a thin metal piece, Z, held in place as shown in the drawings.

Wind-chest 0 is formed by the back board, Q, fastened to the top and bottom pieces, R and S. It is also provided with proper end pieces.

It'will be observed that valve 1? is so arranged that it opens Widest at the ports 11 which require the most air. Then, again, by the recessed seat the air passes quickly to all the ports 2' as soon as the valve opens, and to prevent the backing up of air from the three connected-air-chambers through asingle qualifying-tube cut-offs m are employed,which cut off or close the upper recessed seats from the lower recessed seats, as fully indicated in the drawings, thus guarding against the air from one of the said connected reed-chambers backing up and causing the reeds in one of the other connected air'chambers to sound a comparativelysmall instrument great power and quality.

My reed-organ can be made at a comparatively small expense as compared with pipeorgans of the same tone and capacity.

Having described my improvements in reedorgans, what I claim therein as new and of my invention is 1. The combination, in a reed pan of a reedorgan, of the separate tube or cell pieces A, A, O, D, and E, arranged horizontally one above the other, as shown, and extending from front to back and from end to end ofthe reed pan,with a series of separate dividing-boards, B, G, and D, arranged horizontally above their respective air-chambers, as shown, and extending from front to back and from end to end of the reed-pan without a break or opening, and all securely fastened together in the relative positions described, and for the purposes stated.

2. The combination and arrangement, in a reed'organ, of a series of air-chambers, A, A, O, D, and E, one above the other in the order named, a series of qualifyingtubes, N, extending horizontally toward the front of the organ and securely fastened to the air-exit ends of the airchamber pieces, and having communicating ports or openings with their respective air-chambers, but smaller than the qualifying-tubes, and a series of hinged stops, N", at the outer ends of the qualifying-tubes N at the front of the organ, all arranged relatively as described, and for the purposes set forth. I

3. The combination, in a reed-organ, with three communicating air-chambers, and a single qualifying tube or pipe and three reeds and the air-chambers above the same, of a stationary cut-off interposed or arranged between airchambers and reed-chambers above described, and the air-chambers next above the same,

' substantially as and for the purposes set forth.

4. The combination and relative arrangement, ina reed-organ, of a reed-pan having its induction air-ports and air-valves thereof and mechanism for operating the same located and arranged in the large wind chest or chamber 0 on the back of the organ or reed pan, in combination with openings for the insertion and removal of the reeds with their respective plugs, located and arranged in the front of the reed-pan and between the horizontal qualifying-tubes, as shown and described, and for the purposes set forth.

5. The combination, in a reed-organ, of a series of reeds and induction air-passages leading from a single large air-chest, O, and arranged one above the other, of a single long perpendicular or pendulum air-valve, P, for the whole series, the lowest reed giving the lowest note and itsinduction air-port opened and closed by the part of the valve having the greatest swing or motion, while the ascending scale of notes is produced by reeds the air-ports of which are closed and opened by the parts of the valve having a gradually-decreasing motion, as and for the purposes set forth.

6. The combination, in a reed-organ, with the perpendicular air-valve Pand series of airinduction ports z, of recessed seat 9, substantially as described.

7. The combination, with the pendulumvalve P, of pin f, guide-pins h, operatingspriug O", and buffer h, substantially as and for the purposes set forth.

8. The combination, with the lower end of valve P, of the adjustable screw stemmed metal eye P substantially as and for the purposes set forth.

9. The combination, with valve P, screwstemmed metal eye P, padded bell or knee crank P, and rod P arranged in relation to each other as and for the purposes set forth.

10. The combination, in a reed-organ, of a series of reeds, d, arranged one above the other and located in respect to their respective air-chambers as described, with a series of horizontal qualifying-tubes, N, extending from the ends of the air-chambers toward the front of the organ and arranged one above the other, with open spaces extending in between them from the front of the organ for the passage of the reeds, and with air-exit openings Nand hinged stops N, all relatively arranged as and for the purposes stated.

11. The combination, in a reed-organ, with a series of reed air-chambers, F G H IJ Kand L M, arranged one above the other, and a series of reeds, d, one reed to each set of air chambers, and inserted therein from the front of the organ and supported in horizontal positions in grooves formed in the sides of the air-chamber pieces, of a series of plug-pieces, B, G, D, and E, arranged and securely fastened on the front side of the reed-pan, and a series of qualifying-tubes, N, secured to the front ends of the air-chambers and extending to the front of the organ, with horizontal open spaces between them for the insertion and removal of the reeds without opening the windchest or moving the air-valves or mechanism for operating the same, substantially as shown and described.

MORRIS S. \VRIGHT.

'Witnesses:

THOS. H. DODGE, FRED L. SAVAGE. 

